- Habitat for Humanity International
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Amazon.com, Inc.
- World Bank
- National Partnership for Women and Families
- Philanthropy in Motion, Hong Kong
- World Wildlife Fund
- Deloitte Tax, LPP
Experiential Learning
Fueled by the expert faculty teaching the curriculum at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, graduates of our MPA programs enter the workforce with real-world experience and the practical expertise needed to succeed in a variety of professional landscapes. The experiential learning opportunities woven into the MPA curriculum make graduates of the MPA highly marketable in the workforce.
Students getting an MPA at Cornell emerge from the program with an impressive résumé, marketable skills, and the competitive edge needed to tackle the challenging issues that are present in all facets of policymaking.
Graduates work in a wide range of federal, state, and local government agencies, nonprofits, private firms that interface with the public and nonprofit sectors, and international organizations, where they serve as executives, managers, analysts, consultants, directors, and planners.
Given the diversity of interests and career objectives represented at Cornell, postgraduate activities are regularly distributed across three primary sectors: public, private, and nonprofit.
Consider the following experiential learning options that are designed to help prepare MPA students to take an active role in shaping policy — both during the program and upon graduation.
Internships
To fulfill the Practical Experience component of the degree, most students choose to complete an internship in the summer between the first and second year of study or to do an externship while enrolled in one of our off-campus semester programs. The Office of Career Management will assist you through each phase of your internship search.
Representative internships include:
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- The Global Poverty Project
- The Wilderness Society
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Government Accountability Office
Externships
Externship options allow you to gain professional experience in various government agencies, private sector firms, or nongovernment agencies. Cornell offers two program-specific externship opportunities, which enable you to live and work in Washington, D.C., or Albany, New York.
Washington D.C. Semester
Through the Cornell in Washington internship semester, students undertake an externship for up to 40 hours per week while completing professional development exercises through an intensive externship course. Participants also enroll in a colloquium course featuring alumni speakers.
New York State Capital Semester
Students learn how the New York State Legislature functions through direct experience and formal instruction. Wherever your policy interests lie — higher education, healthcare, environmental conservation, economic development, or elsewhere — Cornell offers the unique opportunity to help students begin careers in public service, public policy, politics, and government.
The Capstone
To earn the MPA degree, students must complete a “Professional Writing” requirement. Of the options available, most students choose to participate in the Brooks MPA Program Capstone. A semester-long program for second year students, the Capstone engages participants in rigorous consultancy projects for either domestic or international clients. Students work on teams conducting research on well-defined policy or management problems posed by their clients and develop proposals for relevant and actionable solutions.
Professional Development Coursework
At the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, we’re dedicated to teaching the “nuts and bolts” of professional development and career advancement.
MPA students are required to take two semester-long courses (or equivalent) that focus on strengthening professional preparation, which may include statistical, analytical, or mathematical skills, professional writing or speaking, leadership or management, or additional skills or knowledge needed for a student’s selected concentration. MPA students may also want to consider including a course from the list of General Concentration courses or from the list of Public and Nonprofit Management courses as one of their two specialized/professional development courses.
